Website for community views

Mayor Garry Moore has launched a website for residents to have their say directly and on-line about current issues.
and the council has re-launched its website with the introduction of "quick answers" to the questions most commonly asked by residents.

The respective addresses are:
www.christchurchmayor.org.nz
www.ccc.govt.nz
Although other new zealand council sites have a mayoral presence, christchurch's is the first where a mayor has an interactive forum - and regularly posts information seeking community views on issues facing the city. these issues currently include the future of the city centre, proposed new ward boundaries and roading reform.

The re-launched council website features "Quick Answers" to 650 commonly asked questions. These range from "how do I address the mayor?" and "how do I store lpg outside my house?" to "can I catch worms from my dog?".
Residents can e-mail for more information.

LOOKING TOWARDS A HI- TECH FUTURE

One of the most inspiring parts of my job is the constant exposure to the amazing stream of innovations and ideas generated in Christchurch.

We’ve just finished a round of public debate about economic development where we listened and responded to what the public wanted.
I think the result of starting that debate was a win for all of us, in that it got the City talking about finding creative ways to help shape a healthy economic future.
What drove me to fire up the debate was the awareness that Christchurch is exposed to incredible opportunities when it comes to broadening our economic base to meet the needs of the new information and technology age. We need to make the most of these opportunities.
Canterbury already has a great global reputation for quality rural products and innovative manufactured products. All carried out against a superb natural backdrop of a splendid environment and recreational sources.

In the last edition of Christchurch City Scene deputy mayor Lesley Keast enthused about local children taking part in cutting edge computer links between Christchurch and other countries.
I still think that for many people Christchurch’s success in the new technology stakes is a well kept secret.

Last week I visited a display from Trimble of their new satellite linked Site Vision system for use on construction sites.
Trials of the system on the Clearwater golf resort site have shown that this product can guide bulldozers to within a centimetre’s accuracy.
Use of the Christchurch-developed system has led to an increase in efficiency of 30 per cent. It is expected to revolutionize the construction industry worldwide.
It lets design data move right from the engineer’s computer to the cab of the bulldozer, removing the old system of stakes in the ground.

I think we should be delighted by the invention and by the way we are developing a skills base that will provide our young people with involvement in similar projects.

PROPOSED VARIATIONS NO. 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44 AND 45 TO THE CHRISTCHURCH CITY PROPOSED DISTRICT PLAN AS AMENDED BY DECISIONS

The Christchurch City Council has prepared Variations No. 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44 and 45 to the City Plan. The nature of the Variations are as follows: Variation No. 38 which relates to the rezoning of approximately 100ha of land between McArthurs Roadand McLeans Island Road from Rural 5 to Rural Q( Quarry). It proposes to provide for quarrying activities in the area identified.

Variation No. 39 is concerned with the vesting of parks in Living Zones. It is a very minor amendment clarifying the zoning of the land to be vested. Variation No. 40 is concerned with underground facilities and small scale utilities. Rule 4.4.3 in Part 9, Vol3, should be amended so that these are both permitted activities rather than discretionary activities.

Variation No. 42 rezones two areas of land in NorthBeach. A part of Adcock Park is proposed to be rezoned from Open Space 2 to Living 1 and in exchange an area of land adjoining Rothesay Road is proposed tobe rezoned from Living 1 to Open Space 2 (Broadhaven Park). Variation No. 43 amends the position of the Open Space 1 Zone on Planning Map 48 at the end of Glendevere Terrace. The wrong area has been zoned in error.

Variation No. 44 removes clause 3.2.15 from part 2,Volume 3. This clause is concerned with the planting of specific types of trees which may be a fire hazard in the Living HB Zone. Variation No. 45 covers some minor inconsistencies between zone groupings principally in Living zones and arises from the inability to change related standards through the hearing process because the scope of decisions was limited. The Variations and Assessments may be inspected during normal opening hours at any Council library and the following Council offices:

Christchurch City Council, Civic Offices, 163 Tuam Street Fendalton Service Centre, Cnr Jeffreys and Clyde Roads Sockburn Service Centre, 149 Main South RoadLinwood Service Centre, 180 Smith Street Beckenham Service Centre, 66 Colombo Street Riccarton Service Centre, Shop 13, Smiths City Centre, Rotherham Street Shirley Service Centre, 36 Marshland Road Papanui Service Centre, Cnr Langdons Road and Restell Street.

Any person may make a submission on the Variations. Submissions must be in writing and in the prescribed form (Form 3) in the Resource Management (Forms) Regulations 1991 or similar. Forms are available from the Council Offices listed above. Once all submissions have been received, the Council will prepare and publicly notify a summary of the submissions. All the submissions will be available for public inspection. There will be the opportunity for anyone to make a submission in support of or in opposition to any of these submissions. A Council hearing will then be arranged to consider all submissions and decisions will be made. Anyone who has made a submission will have the right to attend the hearing and present his or her submission. Generally, anyone who has made a submission also has the right of appeal against a Council decision to the Environment Court. Once all submissions and appeals have been resolved the Proposed Variations will be made operative. Note: From the date of public notification of a Variation the Proposed Plan shall have effect as if it had been so varied.

The closing date for submissions is Friday, 3 September 1999 at Civic offices before 4.30pm or any other Council Office Before 5pm.
Dated at Christchurch this 5th day of August 1999
Jane Donaldson
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES MANAGER

RUBBISH FEES UP

Refuse station fees were increased on 2 August, partly to encourage people to reduce their waste. It now costs $7.20 per car and $20 per single axle trailer to dump refuse; $3 per car and $7 per single axle trailer to dump green waste. Domestic and commercial users have to pay more, however costs can be kept down by separating green waste; taking reusable items to the reuse centres and recycling at the kerbside. Commercial waste generators can put waste minimisation programmes in place. For advice on waste minimisation programmes, contact Christine Byrch on 941 8856 or Karyn Durham on 941 6426.
For more details about the new fees contact the refuse stations or the Council’s Waste Management Unit.

Smoke alarms for all

Low or no cost smoke alarms are still being offered to every Christchurch household through the Smoke Alarms for Everyone Team (SAFE-T)." All you need to do is call the team on 332 8923," says project supervisor Phil Herriot. "An installer willthen visit and install the alarm for $8. Extra alarms are installed for $7 each." The project was set up in August last year by the Council and to date 8200 alarms have been installed in a variety of properties from private homes to pre-schools. "If you can’t afford to pay, please phone anyway as we want to help," says Phil. All SAFE-T employees have been security checked and fully trained.